Music therapist Elizabeth Haig runs a program for residents at Burnbrae Gardens.
Music therapy program gets thumbs up from residents, staff
Residents’ council opts to pay for part of programming costs
Thursday April 10, 2008 -- Deron Hamel
A music therapy program has been so successful at Burnbrae Gardens that the Campbellford long-term care home’s residents’ council has decided to flip the bill for part of the program’s cost.

Council president Charlotte Graydon says she and other council members decided to share the cost of the program after seeing a demonstration from instructor Elizabeth Haig in January.

Graydon says the council felt the program would be beneficial to residents at the home based on experiences with past music therapy programs.

While Graydon says a lot of residents might not notice the benefits the program has on them directly, the value of the program is apparent.

“I know that if you’re under stress and you’re quiet and there’s music playing, it’s a help,” says Graydon, adding she would like to see the program offered more frequently at the home.

Currently, the program is offered twice a month. Under an agreement with the home, residents’ council pays for one programming day while the life enrichment department pays for the other.

The program has Haig dedicating time with two groups of residents — those with and those without cognitive impairment — as well as one-to-one programming for those residents who require a quiet setting. She also works with residents who are in palliative care.

Haig specializes in performing songs from eras that many residents can relate to. As part of the program, Haig sings to residents, as well as plays guitar and engages residents by providing them with musical instruments — including bells, tambourines and maracas — and encourages them to join along with her performances.

Another bonus to the program, notes Faux, is that Haig charts all the residents to show their progress, as well as writes assessments.

“Overall, it has been an amazing program,” says life enrichment co-ordinator April Faux. “We’ve had great responses from residents. I see residents going who don’t go to any programs ever, but will occasionally go to this program.”

While the program is still in its infancy, Faux says she has even greater expectations as time passes, based on the results she has seen.

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